Universal joint



Patented' Aeg. 24, 194s Archibald A. Warner, Rockford, lll., assignor to Borg'fWarner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application Mey 1, 1944, sei-iai No. 533,585

' (ci. s4-rn 10 Claims. 1

The present invention relatesf to universalr joints. It is one of the principal objects hereof to simplify the construction of a-universal joint and to improve the efiiciency, operation and dependability of such universal joint.

Another principal object of the present invention is to providemeans in a universal joint that is adapted to effect a reduction of friction between the relatively movable parts thereof.

A further object hereof is to provide a universal joint wherein the cross member, that is usually an oscillatory spider having radially disposed trunnions movably journaled in the yoke arms, is dispensed with, and in lieu thereof the connections between the cross member and the yoke arms is effected by means of antifriction devices such as balls, rollers, or the like that are posi-v tioned in annular races ilxed on the cross member and on the confronting portions of the yoke arms.

It is -another object of the present improvements to provide anti-friction races on the cross member in the form of cup-shaped metal stampings that are brazed or otherwise suitably an.-

`chored to opposite portions of the cross member. In this connection it is an aim to provide races that are fixed with relation to the yoke arms and which comprise protuberances that project toward .each other inwardly from the yoke arms and are surrounded by races on the cross member to provide the means upon which the cross member is bodily movable. Furthermore,

the anti-friction devices that are positioned in Fig. 5 is a fragmental section of another modified form of the universal joint.

The drawings are to be understood as being more or less of a schematic character for theY purpose of disclosing typical or' Vpreferred forms of the invention contemplated herein and in these drawings like reference characters identify the same parts in the several views. y

In its broadest aspect, the present invention comprises a cross member intermediately disposed between the yokes of driving and driven members or shafts, the said yokes being operarangement takes the place of the usual center member or spider-shape to provide radial trunthe confronting races effect'the operative con- I nection between the cross member and the respective yokes.

Additional objects, aims, and advantages of the invention contemplated herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after the construction and operation of the universal joint is understood from thewithin description.

It is preferred to accomplish the numerous objects of this invention and to practice the same in substantially the manner hereinafter fully de. scribed and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, wherein: I

Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of a universal joint embodying the improvements contemplated herein;v

Fig. 2 is a vertical side elevation thereof Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of the universal joint; Fig. 4 is a vertical side elevation thereof; and

tively connected to the cross member by means of anti-friction devices operating in annular portions of protuberances that project inward from adjacent portions of the yoke arms. This arnions that are operatively connected to and journaled in the yokes.

'Ihe arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a pair of yokes IIIy having spaced arms II, alternate ones of which are disposed in opposite directions, and the end portions of the arms of I each yoke are provided with transverse bores l2 that have their axes coincident to or aligned with each other. The bores in one pair of arms are disposed so that their common axis intersects the common axis of the bores in the other yoke arms, and all of these bores provide means for mounting fixed plugs I3 of cylindrical cross section that are fitted tightly into said bores. After the plugs have been properly positioned in the bores, with their outer ends back of or inside the outer ends thereof, they are anchored in place by staking as indicated at I4 in Fig. 1. The inner ends of the plugs I3 that project toward each other from the respective yokes provide protuberances projecting beyond the confronting inner faces of their yoke arms. At their inner end portions these protuberances are reduced in diameter and the two diameters are joined by an arcuate surface to provide annular races I5 for suitable anti-friction devices in the manner hereinafter described.

A bleek is is interposed between the endey of the yoke arms, the block performing the function of a center member or cross member of the universal joint, and in performing this function, it is adapted for oscillatory movement by rotation upon a plurality of axes each axis intersecting the other axis at vsubstantially a right angle. These rotational axes of the block I6 also are coincident or aligned with the axes of therespective pairs of plugs I3. 'I'he block has diametrically .the block.

Races i! for anti-friction devices are provided on the block for coaction with and in confront` ing relation to the races IB on the inner ends of the plugs Il. The races il shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprise metal stampings Ithat have cupshaped outer portions forming the races i8 that surround the races I5 on the adjacent plugs Il.V

and centrally of these cupped portions the stampings are provided with hollow stubs I8 that are inserted in the sockets `i 'i of the cross member Il and are brazed or otherwise anchored therein. The intermediate portions of the stampings between the stubs andl the cupped portions are approximately fiat so that they will contact the fiat surfaces of the cross member that define the edges of the sockets i1, and these fiat portions of the stampings are likewise anchored to the cross member by brazing or otherwise. Suitable rings 2i of L-shape cross section are interposed between the rims of the races Il and the adjacent inner faces of the yoke arms ii to retain land act as seals to prevent escape of lubricant from the universal joint, and the inner portions of these seal-retaining rings 2iv project toward the plugs il beyond the anti-friction balls 22 in the confronting races i! and i8. The balls 22 are arranged in annular rows that surround and are spaced radially from the axes of the plugs. After the parts of the universal joint have been assembled, the staking il is applied to the ends of the plugs i3 to effect the maintenance of said plugs in fixed relation to the yoke arms 4 have been hereinbefore described, but its outer portion is provided with diametrically oppositely disposed recesses 2l that are formed. with concave annular races IIb near the edges thereof for receiving the annular rows of anti-friction balls 22. vThe arms lib of the yokes are provided with vprotuberances 2l that project inwardly toward each other beyond the inner faces of each pair of arms. These protuberances!! areformed by subjecting the arms il b to pressing operations between dies whereby indentations 26 are made in the outside, faces of the arms and the approximately counterpart protuberances 2l are projected away from the inside faces of the arms.h Ihe margins'of the protuberances are concave in cross section to provide the races IIb that confront and are surrounded by the races ilb that are formed on the adjacent marginal portions of the recesses 24 in the cross member.

I i and the cross member Il. Alternatively. the f stampings may be -assembled in, and brazed to,

the central block, the plugs may be staked and brazed to the arms and the joint then assembled by inserting the plugs into the stampings with the anti-friction balls between, the arms being secured to the driving and driven shafts as the final step.

The modified structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4 comprises an assembly wherein the cupped stampings of the universal joint shown in Figs. 1 and 2 have been dispensed with, and in lieu thereof the-block i6a forming the cross member is recessed on its outer faces to provide the races iBa that are formed by increasing the bores of the sockets I'ia to provide the shoulder in the manner shown in Fig. 3. In this instance, the dimensions of the block are larger than the dimensions of the cross member block I8 in the assemblythat is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The plugs Ila that provide the protuberances in this modified structure have the races I5 at. their inner ends in confronting relation to and surrounded by the races Ilia, and the body portions of plugs ila may be provided with threads where- Aby they may be screwed into the bores i2 that are similarly threaded to receive them. `The plugs are maintained in fixed positions by means ol" lubricant from the universal joint.

The inner faces of the yoke arms lib near or in contact with the adjacent surfaces of the cross member are provided with annular channels 21 that provide seats in which seal rings or iiber gaskets 28 are inserted to prevent escape of the The assembly shown in Fig. 5 preferably constitutes an exempliiication in its broadest aspect of the improvements that are contemplated herein.

While this invention has been described in detail in its present preferred forms or embodiments, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, after understanding the improvements. that various changes or modifications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. It is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes andfmodifications.

I claim:

1. A universal joint comprising a pair of yokes; the arms of each yoke being provided with aligned bores: plugs fixed in said bores and projecting toward each other; a'n oscillatory center member; sockets in said center member aligned with said plugs; stampings having stub portions anchored in said sockets and cup-shaped portions surrounding the inner portions oi said plugs; and a plurality of anti-friction members in each of the cupped portions of said stampings and engaged by the inner portions of said plugs.

2, A universal joint comprising a pair of yokes, the arms of each yoke being provided with protuberances that lproject beyond the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, the inner portions of said'protuberances being formed with races for anti-friction devices; an oscillatory cross member; stampings having stub portions anchored in diametrically opposite portions of said cross member and having cup-shaped portions opening toward said yoke arms, said cup-shaped portions providing races that confront the races oni said protuberances; and a plurality of antifriction devices cooperating with each of said confronting races.

3. In a universal joint, a yoke. the arms of 4 said yoke being provided with protuberances that project beyond the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, inner portions of said protuberances being formed with races for anti-friction devices; an oscillatory pivotmember having sockets aligned with said protuberances: race elementsv anchored in said sockets and having race portions surrounding the inner'portions of saidprotuberances and confronting the races on said protuberances: a plurality of anti-friction devices cooperating with said confronting races; and lubricant seals interposed between said elements and the inner surfaces oi each of said yoke arms and engaging the inner portions of said protuberances.

4. In a universal joint, a yoke, the arms of said yoke being provided with protuberances that proi ject beyond the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, inner portions 1 of said protuberances being formed with races for antifriction devices: an oscillatory pivot member having sockets aligned with said protuberances; race elements anchored in said sockets and having race portions surrounding the inner portions of said protuberances and confronting the races on said pro.- tuberances; a plurality of anti-friction devices cooperating with said confronting races; andluf bricant seals each comprising an annular member having a cup-shaped cross section and opening toward a yoke arm, and a gasket in said annular member, said gasket being pressed into engagement with the underside of the yoke arm and with the inner portion of its protuberance.

5. A universal joint comprising a pair of yokes. the arms of each yoke being provided with aligned bores; plugs fixed in said bores and projecting toward each other; an oscillatory center member having sockets aligned with said plugs; metal stampings having stub portions anchored in said sockets and cup-shaped portions surrounding the inner portions of said plugs; a plurality oi anti-friction members in each of the cupped portions of said stampings and engaged by the inner portions of said plugs; and lubricant seals each comprisinganv annular member having a cup-shaped cross section seated against a cupped portion of a metal stamping and opening toward a yoke arm and a gasket seated' in said annular member and pressed into engagement with the under side of the yoke arm and with the inner portion of its plug.

6. A universal joint comprising a pair of yokes, the arms of each yoke being provided with protuberances that project beyond the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, the inner portions of said protuberances being formed with races for anti-fric'- tion devices; an oscillatory cross member; stampings having stub portions anchored in diametrically opposite portions of said cross member and having cup-shaped portions opening toward said yoke arms providing races that confront the races on said protuberances; a plurality of anti-friction devices cooperating lwithpeach of said confronting races; and lubricant seals each comprising an annular member having a cup-shaped cross section seated against a cupped portion oi' a metal stamping and opening toward a yoke arm -and a gasket seated in said annular member and pressed into engagement with the under side of the yoke arm and with the inner portion of its protuberance.

7. A universal joint comprising a pair of yokes, the arms ofv each yoke being provided with projections extending toward each other; an oscillatory pivot member having sockets aligned with said projections; stampings anchored in said sockets and comprising cup-shaped portions sur` rounding the inner portions of said projections;

and a plurality of anti-friction members in each of the cupped portions of said stampings and engaged by the, inner portions of said projections.

8. A universal Joint comprising a pair of yokes,

the arms of each yoke being provided with prothe arms of each yoke being provided with aligned bores; plugs fixed in said bores and projecting toward each other; an oscillatory center member having sockets aligned with said plugs; stampings having stub portions anchored in said sockets and cup-shaped portions surrounding the inner portions of said plugs; a plurality of antifriction members in each of the cupped portions of said stampings and engaged by the inner portions of said plugs; and lubricant seals interposed between the center member and the inner surfaces of each of said yoke arms and engaging the inner portions of said plugs.

10. A universal joint comprising a pair of yokes. the arms of'each yoke being provided with protuberances that project beyond the inner surfaces of the yoke arms, the inner portions of said proand lubricant seals interposed between the center member and the inner surfaces of each of said yoke arms and engaging the inner portions of said protuberances. l

` ARCHIBALD A. WARNER.

' REFERENCES crrsn The following references are of record inthe ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Mar. 2, 1936 Number Number 

